by Alexus Mckeon

Created on: September 23, 2009   Last Updated: September 26, 2009

Should the music industry do more to improve moral content in song lyrics?

Plain and simply put the people that are saying yes on this issue are saying yes to censorship. Do you think Rap music would have the same impact on society without swearing or backing up what has come to be known as a "thug" lifestyle? The gutsy moves it took to shape rap and hip-hop music were a decade plus struggle. The envelope pushing that was done by rap's pioneers to give it notoriety and a societal place were long overdue, making it the billion dollar conglomerate that it is. Turning the industry upside down and paving the way for the bold and the not so beautiful lyrics we are subjected to today. I would not have it any other way.

Rap and hip-hops roots took off from the likes of Run DMC, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane just to name a few that started getting bold with the mic in there hand and their fingers on a turntable. Then overnight, it seems to us anyway (probably not to those that were trying to get credit and have their music played and heard.) Rap was forever changed. Rap music was urbanized and immortalized by the bold going bolder. They had a message to share. You were going to hear that message loud and clear if you agreed with it or not.

Cotroversy hit and music had a new message. Those that made us take note paying attention listening to bass delivered driving force messages blarring from our boom boxes. Creating a grumble and moan from parents everywhere. "Turn that off!" and "I don't want you listening to that !" then the ever so popular "You're grounded." We were hooked! It was a chance and risk worth taking.

Words took on a controversial hostile form from artists such as Ice Cube, Ice-T, and Dr. Dre'. N.W.A.'s Straight outta Compton made everyone notice. I mean everyone it was the most politically charged rap song ever. They had something to say, not holding back in the least they delivered that message hard core. The message in it wasn't to thumb, snub, or scar the police in a lyrical shed of its raspily delivered lyrics. Easy-e caught your attention when those verses shot out of his mouth. He had one of the oddest, unique, gifted, voices in rap music.

Was the song violent? Absolutely. It was about not being able to progress. Its out of anger of consistently being held back and restrained. Conditions that don't change socially or economically. Then what followed in the world of Rap and Hip-hop would land artists in the courtroom defending their explicit lyrical content and rights to the first amendment. That the lyric were deemed offensive. The problem with this is what offends one does not offend another. I have heard and read a lot of things that I hate, don't agree with, or am just plain offended by. However I find myself thankful everyday that we are not censored.

Freedom of speech and the first amendment is what allows you to come to places like this and write.

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